The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-05
BULLETS FOR BANK BURGLARS
A Bold Attempt to Rob Defeated by
Plucky Cashier.
lSDeciaI to the Ner York World

Special to the Nep York World.
WILMINGTON, DEL, Sept. 30.-The bold
est bank robbery ever attempted in Della
ware occurred about o'clock this morning
at the Farmers Bank, in the town of New
Castle, a place of 5000 inhabitants, five
miles from this city. The building com
prises the bank and cashiers residence, and
has small yard in front guarded by a light
iron railing. The bank occupies the corner
room on the first floor with a parlor oppo-
site, and sitting room and kitchen to the
rear. On the second floor are four bed
rooms located on each side of the hallway,
which is about six feet wide.
The front room ON the right was occupied
by Richard G. Cooper, cashier of the bank
and wife, and the room i'll the rear of this
by two of his daughters. The front room
on the left of the hallway was occupied
last night by William j. Black, brother in
OF Senator Gray and the room in the rear
of this,by Miss Mary Cooper, daughter of
the cashier
1t was on this floor that exciting events
occurred. There were four burglars. Three
of them entered the building, while fourth
kept watch on the outside. They stole a
ladder from neighboring yard, and three
of them clamhered up to the second story
and entered Mr.. Blacks room first. He was
awakened by the noise, and turned over in
time to see man entering the window. Mr..
Black gave a scream and started to leave
the room, bnt was at once covered by a re-
volver and told to keep quiet. His
feet were tied together and his
head enveloped in bed-clothes One of
the men then went out into the hallway,
while the other remained in charge of Mr..
Black. Cashier Cooper had been arous ed
by Mr.. Blacks scream. He provided him
self with big revolver, which lay on his
mantel, and had not been used for five
years He went first to his daughters room
and found everything all right. He then
heard subdued voices i'll Mr. Blacks room,
but thought that the latter had received an
unexpected visit from friend. and he re.
turned to his wife's room to seek an eXpla-
nation if possible. He then heard COM
motion in the hallway, where one of the
burglars tried to enter the room of his other
daughter, which was Immediately back of
Mr. Blacks She had opened the door to
learn the cause of the noise, when the bur
glar made dash for her, but she shut and
locked tbs door in his face
The bold thief then threw his weight
against the door and burst it open. Mr..
Cooper just then emerged from his
room. The thief, who carried bulls eye
lantern, levelled a revolver at his breast
and commanded: ''Don't speak!'
Won replied MIR. cooper, and at the
same instant ne raised his revolver rapidly
and fired directly in the burglars face. The
thief replied with shot which missed Mr.
CooASr and grazed the face of his wife
who stood back of him.. Mr.. Cooper FREQ
a second shot, which missed. The wounded
burglar and his two companions then re
treated hastily through the open window
AS the former passed through Mr.. Blacks
room he fired shot at the man lying help
less on the bed, but the bullet imbedded it
self in the bed The wounded thief, as he
left the room, staggered as though fam
from his injury. He left pools Of blood anC
the bloody imprint of his hand on the wal
where he leaned for support for a moment
The wounded man could be traced by hi:
| blood as far as the river, where it is prob
able he fell overheard or committed suicide
No boat was seen in the vicinity, and NJ
trace of his companions could be found, but
there is every reason to believe that he was
shot in the mouth, as piece of flesh resem
bling a human tongue was found on the
window-sill by which he escaped. A Derby
hat belonging to the injured burglar, 6
mask made out of piece of white muslin
with holes for the eyes and nose, and xii
of burglars tools which was abandoned by
the burglars in their hasty retreat were
found in the vicinity.